A Writer's Week #77: Front Cover Reveal

Well here we are at the end of another fantastic week. The Deliverers 2 is getting closer to completion. I know I've said that before, but this time I'm as sure as I can be. I have the final front cover. Ana Vogel sent that to me last week. She just has to sort out the dimensions for the spine and change the color of the font on the back cover. So, while I don't have the whole cover to reveal yet, I'm going to reveal the front cover today. Here it is:

I think it looks fantastic. Illustrator Daniel Vogel did a great job, and layout artist Ana Vogel did an awesome job with the title! Please let me know what you think in the comments below! I'm really excited about this book and I hope you will be, too.

The interior is just about ready to go as well. It just needs some tweaks to the map and the table of contents. Once I have received everything, it will only be a couple of weeks before the release of the book! We're almost there.

While things have been moving along with book two, The Deliverers 3 is also progressing. This week, I sent Daniel a sketch of the map of the Dragon Islands. He's going to use that to begin work on the main map for The Golden Dragon of Ang. The third book will be more ambitious, mapwise. There will also be individual maps of the five Dragon Islands, so Dan's going to have his talented hands full.

I also made some great progress on the writing front. This week I wrote 2,500 words, bringing The Golden Dragon of Ang to 47,000 words, 48 chapters and 205 pages.

Everything keeps moving along. If things continue to go as planned, Order of the Crystal Lion will be out by the end of this month and The Golden Dragon of Ang will be out by January or February of 2014! I'll let you know about any new developments next week!

What's Elizabeth Reading? Tears of a Dragon

Elizabeth is back with another book in the Dragons in Our Midst series--Tears of a Dragon, by Bryan Davis. This is book number four in the series. Let's see what she had to say about it.

 Here's what Elizabeth says the book is about.

In Tears of a Dragon, the main characters, Billy and Bonnie, go on their final journey to free the dragon souls along with three human souls from a place called Dragon's Rest. Meanwhile, the dragons that had been freed in the previous book are preparing to go into battle alongside Billy and Bonnie's friends and family.

While dangers mount, mysterious songs from Merlin still hold the key to unraveling all the secrets once and for all. These books have a spiritual aspect in them. For Bonnie's part, she has strong faith and trust in the maker and believes he will protect her no matter what the odds. Without her faith and helping hand, Billy would never have made it through the trials.


What did Elizabeth like best about the book?

I never once wanted to put this book down. I especially liked the ending. It holds the beginnings of a new adventure, so you can use your imagination, and it reunites all the families that were divided by the war. It is a happy ending!

So, how did Elizabeth rate Tears of a Dragon by Bryan Davis?

She gave it five out of five blue dragons.

And Now For Something Completely Different

Okay, I'm feeling a little bit strange today (stranger than usual, that is). I don't feel like the same old thing. By the same old thing I mean a Between the Lines featuring an interview with a character from children's literature. Sorry, the last couple have been fun, but my feelings were a tad hurt by Pollyanna of all people. I know, I may be a little oversensitive, but it wounded me deeply.

So, I decided that I would stray from the normal schedule and give you something...well, I think John Cleese put it best. Here's a little bit of fun:

What fun, eh? Yes, it is indeed time for something completely different, just because it's summer and it seems like I've been on a treadmill of late, churning out manuals at work and writing at home. So, I thought why not change things up a bit?

And what better way to change things up than with my favorite comedy troupe, Monty Python? I realize that they may not be everyone's cup of tea, but I thought that just this once I should give it a go. So, here are a few of my favorite sketches. Don't worry, they're all rated 'G'!

Enjoy! We shall resume our regular schedule tomorrow.

Argument Clinic

Vocational Guidance Counsellor (I particularly like the banking crack)

The Spanish Inquisition

The Parrot Sketch

And finally:

The Ministry of Silly Walks

A Writer's Week #76: Better Late Than Never

Hi all. I hope you had a great weekend! I'm sorry that this post is late. My cable modem went out on Friday and I did not get internet access back until yesterday afternoon, so this post is titled Better Late Than Never. The same could be said for the second book in the Deliverers Series.

Title from the new cover

I've had some delays that were not in anyone's control. It was just life happening. But very soon, the book will be ready to go. If all goes well, I will be receiving the final cover and interior layout this week! If that does indeed happen, I will have a cover reveal this week and Order of the Crystal Lion will be released by the end of this month! This is something I've really been looking forward to, and from what you have told me over the past few months, you have, too.

Cover sneak peek

Meanwile, work continues on the third book in the series, The Golden Dragon of Ang. I wrote 2,000 words this week. Eric and the gang are in the middle of a tense moment. They've encountered an obstacle that they did not anticipate and are trying to work themselves out of it. Will they do it? Hopefully, but you never can tell...

Anyway, the book is currently at 44,500 words over 195 pages and 45 chapters. It's moving along pretty nicely now, although I still see a long sea voyage in the future, and I'm not sure how to jazz that up. We'll see if any opportunities present themselves along the way. I'll keep you informed of any developments as the week goes along. Enjoy!

Between the Lines: Pollyanna

Here in New England, we've had our share of rain. In Connecticut, we set a record with almost 11 inches of rain in June. With all the gloomy weather, it would be pretty easy to become gloomy as well. However, there's one person I know who can always put a positive spin on things. I'm talking, of course, about Pollyanna. She just so happens to be in town and has agreed to visit and spread some of her sunshine our way.

Greg:  Hello, Pollyanna thanks for stopping by.

Pollyanna:  It's my pleasure entirely. I've never been interviewed before. This is so exciting. I had planned on just laying around watching the rain come down. But then I thought, there are probably some people who could use some cheering up. I went out and ran into you. Now I have the chance to cheer all your readers up!

Greg:  And you'll do a fine job, I'm sure. I'm very interested to hear about this game that you and your father used to play. Can you tell us a little bit about it?

Pollyanna:  Surely. My father taught it to me before he and my mother died. It's called "The Glad Game". In the game you have to find something happy or good about every situation you find yourself in.

Greg:  Interesting. Could you give us an example?

Pollyanna:  Why yes. I notice that you're a little overweight. Now, this might be a little depressing--I'm sure that I would be depressed if I were you! Now, all you have to do is find something good about being overweight. Let me think--what's good about that? Oh yes, you won't starve to death any time soon! When you go on a trip, you don't have to pack any food. When you swim, you don't need a flotation device. So you see, there are any number of good things about being overweight!

Greg:  Uh, yeah, I guess I see your point. Thanks so much for pointing that out. What other bad situations can you put a positive spin on?

Pollyanna: Umm, well, I see that your car is a ten year mid-sized sedan. Some people prefer luxury models, but really,it's not so bad. Your choice of car shows that you're practical and down to earth. While you may not be rich enough to afford a brand new car, you make the best of what you have. You don't throw money around, you're conservative.

Greg:  That's just great, I feel a whole lot better. Can you try and cheer up someone other than me now?

Pollanna:  Yes indeed. As you may know, I lost the use of my legs for a while. Still, it showed me how much those around me truly loved me. I still have a little trouble getting about, but thanks to these crutches, it's not too bad. See, I can walk pretty well with these.

Greg: Ouch!!! You just about pierced my foot with that crutch!

Pollyanna:  Oh, I'm terribly sorry! Still, after the pain subsides, you'll be able to appreciate being able to walk around on two good feet that much more.

Greg:  Yes, I'm--ooh--sure I will. I think that's all we have time for right now. I suddenly feel the need to sit down. Thanks for coming by and brightening my day.

Pollyanna:  It's my pleasure. You know, I find that when I sit down, I'm able to see things from a different perspective. For instance, when you're sitting down the rain takes longer to hit your head. Think about it.